Win over Australia would be game-changer – Hardcastle

Women’s Test between England and Australia

Dates: Saturday, March 1 (02:00 GMT, Sunday, March 2), Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas

According to center Amy Hardcastle, defeating Australia would “change the game” for women’s rugby league in England.

The Jillaroos have won three World Cups while only conceding one defeat overall since 2016 and are the dominant force in international competition.

The NRL Women’s Premiership (NRLW) has a high level of investment that makes it possible for both full- and semi-pro players, while England’s Women’s Super League counterparts play for money or for free.

This indicates that Australia will be a strong favorite for the Saturday Test against England in Las Vegas.

No women’s team in England or Britain has defeated Australia since 2002, which is a five-loss run, but St Helens’ Hardcastle welcomes the challenge of overthrowing the former world champions.

“Beating them would be the absolute game-changer,” she claims. And I believe that it would have a significant impact on people’s opinions around the world and in our nation. Consider how effective that is for a women’s team.

As the game progressed, “I think a lot of doors would open for English women’s rugby league,” he said.

In addition to captain Jodie Cunningham and their St Helens club-mate Shona Hoyle, Hardcastle, 35, is one of three players in the England squad who featured in their most recent meeting with Australia, a 38-0 defeat at the 2017 World Cup.

When asked if she thought England’s squad was better than it was then, Hardcastle replies, “Yes, absolutely.

“I’ve been a part of this squad for 17 years, and when I first started, we didn’t really play many games.” However, we are now more reliable.

“The Super League is improving,” he says. And because our league is improving, the pool of girls and women we now have are better because we don’t lose them to other sports.

Why wouldn’t you want to be a part of England given the opportunities there are?

Head coach Brad Donald resigned in early February amid allegations he made disparaging remarks about a journalist in front of players, leading to an Australia side that is experiencing some unrest.

As interim head coach, Jess Skinner, who served as Donald’s assistant, has been appointed.

It’s all about the players, Hardcastle said, “I believe you can have all the coaching and they bring what they do and their ways of thinking.”

It’s how you all connect when you’re on the field, they say. You’re going to bring that on the field as well if you connect off the field.

According to NRLW guidelines, the match on Saturday night will last 70 minutes rather than the usual 80.

“I believe that’s to our advantage,” Hardcastle said.

A men’s Super League game between Wigan and Warrington, two men’s NRL games, and a four-game rugby league showcase at Allegiant Stadium are included in the Saturday Test.

The NRL’s invitation to US President Donald Trump to the showcase has been criticized as overshadowing the build-up.

In a 2023 civil lawsuit, Trump was found guilty of sexual abuse and defamation for author E Jean Carroll.

Following the invitation, the anti-domestic violence charity White Ribbon requested that its name be removed from the NRL website on Thursday. A letter cited the league’s decision to “associe with well-known perpetrators of abuse and violence against women.”

White Ribbon, which has a relationship with the NRL since the middle of the 2000s, did not specifically mention Trump.

However, the BBC has learned that Dana White, the president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and him were the subject of their protest.

White was filmed slapping his wife Anne in a club on New Year’s Eve, 2022. He apologised for the incident and was uncharged.

Andrew Abdo, the NRL’s CEO, defended Trump’s invitation to attend on Thursday.

“This match is being played in America,” the statement read. America is hosting us, Abdo claimed.